Jo Joyce

Beryl: 100, living alone and loving life

That means it’s been 17 years since her beloved husband Bill
died at 89 after nearly 60 years together.

17 years that she’s been living alone in the little brick house
in Maleny, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, that Bill built for the two of
them to retire in 40 years ago.

A feminist before her time, Beryl was raised by her mother, a
strong woman who taught her that women are every bit as capable and relevant as
men.

“I came [to Maleny] in 1936 as a relieving teacher,” she
says, “which meant I was to be here for three months.”

Against her mother’s best advice (‘girls, never fall in love
with a dairy farmer’) Beryl met and fell in love with Bill at 25 and spent the
next few decades milking cows and raising three boys.

“When Bill died I didn’t want to say to my children ‘what’ll
I do now that Bill’s gone?’”

So she did what she has always done. She talked and she
listened and she spoke her mind; she made new friends and saw old friends and
family regularly; she joined organisations and started community groups.

“I have never felt isolated,” she declares, “for the simple
reason that I have the gift of the gab.”

It’s been just three years since Beryl handed in her driver’s
license at 97.

“I look all right, I see all right, I listen all right,” she
says, “but there’s always that chance that I mightn’t, so I decided to give it
up.

“I’ve regretted it because I can’t do those little trips
that ordinarily a person can do.”

But what Beryl can do is call on her family, her friends and
the community that she is a part of. They
pick her up for church, drop her to the hairdresser, pop by with a takeaway
coffee, mow her lawn, share lunches and deliver her groceries.

This is a woman who puts the highest value on human relationships;
a woman who is contented with her life, who understands that happiness is a
fleeting and fickle emotion and who can laugh at life and at herself.

What does she want for?

“Nothing really,” she says. “Well, maybe a man. But I’d have to find someone who’s over 100.
Otherwise I’d be a cougar.”

55
Comments

Talia

What a beautiful story!

Fiona Hood

This was a great to see this story, she is a lovely lady who I have met before & after the show.

loni

This is such a great story Jo. Well done.

Jeannie Foye

It was lovely to read article about someone special like you
You gave me hope, inspiration and great pleasure too
The video was also great to see
I hope that I can become like thee
Will be 70 next year at times my life has been rough I fear
But now getting a new lease on life and it does appear
continuing learning is a joy I hold dear
all the very best
To a lady with style and zest
best wishes
Jeannie bliss
think you are the best

Faith Eeson

Beryl You are amazing women and such an inspiration. I loved hearing you story.

catherine

Fabulous, thankyou Beryle

Roula Kirkilis

What an amazing resilient woman she is. An inspiration for those of us who want to give up at the drop of a hat. Life hands you the good and the bad. Her philosophy is to get on with life and treasure THE PEOPLE around her. I hope if I get to her age I can be as thankful and humble as she is. What a lady and what an inspiration.

prim allen

So wonderful to see such a strong and happy lady. It is so easy to forget how fortunate we are. So many people are sorry for themselves.Thankyou.

Olga May Starr

What a lovely story.....thank you for sharing Beryl.

Maria R

What a wonderful story - Beryl is an inspiration to all.

Kevin Gormley

Way to go great aunty beryl. Still going strong. Well done. Much respect to you. I am Allyn Gormley's eldest son Kevin. He is the son of Amy Phyllis, your sister.

Kelly B

This is gorgeous! I love it so much!

allyn gormley

Thank you my beautiful aunty for all you did for me when I was young.You and Bill did so very much for me when my poor old mum was in hospital.I will never forget you nor stop loving you all.

Andrew Coates

What an inspiring story. Thanks Beryl and thanks Jo and well done.

Elizabeth Craig

An enjoyable and inspiring story, to see you so competent and with many truths to share Beryl. Particularly that one cannot always be happy but can be content. Thank you.

Lesley Nazzari

Lovely.

Marg Harris

You are an inspiration beryl. Go girl go. Hope you received a letter from Betty. You Know, that lady who lives in a palace in England.

Kath Ogle

Working in Aged Care, I truly appreciate the wonder of Beryl's story. Fabulous life, wonderful woman. Well done Beryl, and a great presentation Jo.

christina

What a fantastic story - thank you ABC and thank you Beryl. Very inspiring.

Robyn Gooden

Good story. You are a champion. Australia need more of you. Giving instead of taking.

Kerry

Wonderful, joyful and I have started a book of my own thanks Beryl!

Dan Battley

I love to be able to sit with you on a Tuesday to have a natter and gossip. Your an inspiration.

Olga Klepova

Good job Jo! Where else should we get wisdom if not from such people as Beryl. And I agree it's very inspiring! Wishing Beryl many more happy years!

Ealine Moore nee Bryce

Congratulation Beryl and the memories of you and your family whilst growing up at Reesville, Maleny

Nicky Schonkala

Beryl you are fantastic! I'm going to put this on my fridge and live every day inspired by you. :-)

Maureen Clifford

You are an inspiration Beryl - your charm and grace shines through and I love your poem - thank you for sharing it with us. Blessings to you

Kim glavinic

There should be more people like Beryl in the world - inspiring

Michael Bromage

Such good humour and a wonderful attitude. Beryl encourages the excitement for life's journey.

Pauline Clayton

And she writes poetry.

Karen Pidgeon

I love this story! Inspirational.

Cristina

How wonderful is her life. We need to follow her example of living.....

Cristina

How wonderful is her life. We need to follow her example of living.....

louise

What a sense of humor! Great article. Great lady!

jodi

Hello Beryl, I hope you read my comment. you make me want to keep living a long productive life, with my family and friends beside me. bless you. I am 42. Your attitude is inspirational. Bless You!!!

Linda Martin

Gorgeous , i want to be just like you. So true about the contentment thing. I am in my 40's and have just worked this out . We are too busy these days chasing the elusive dream of Happiness -it doesnt exist and who wants it ? Contentment , i say ! You are a very wise woman .Bless you .xxx

Linda Martin

Gorgeous , i want to be just like you. So true about the contentment thing. I am in my 40's and have just worked this out . We are too busy these days chasing the elusive dream of Happiness -it doesnt exist and who wants it ? Contentment , i say ! You are a very wise woman .Bless you .xxx

Linda Martin

Gorgeous , i want to be just like you xxx

Elsa

Congratulations dear Beryl, You look Fantastic,You're Inspiring,AND STILL VERY ATTRACTIVE. keep it up. I'd love to know what you eat,What's your favourite food you've been eating say the past 10 or 20 years.Take care.Thanks for sharing it all with us.

Nevile Bryce

So great to hear your words of wisdom, lots of memories of you Beryl in my childhood days in Maleny! Keep on keeping on.

Roxanne Stanton

How inspiring!!! I also wish to live to 100 years old so this story has given me hope.

Lesley Shears

What an inspiring story to read, especially after losing my husband three months ago. Beryl, you are a wonder!

Virginia Carter

What a fabulous lady with a wonderful attitude to life! I want to be just like her if I make it to 100!!! V Carter

Carolyn Barker

Go Beryl!

Deanna Briggs

What a lovely & fortunate elder lady is Beryl & living in a community such as Maleny would be a blessing, smaller towns seem to be more in tune with their friends & neighbours. My dear mum is 81 & in aged care in sunshine coast due to dementia & the need for care as my sister are not able to support our mum in our homes & with our life commitments. So glad this Grand lady has a happy healthy life!

Pippa Tallulah Wood

Beryl an older man couldn't keep up with you - you are every inch a cougar! You go girl!

JB

"I'd have to find someone over 100 otherwise I'd be a cougar." What a legend!

Malcolm Wells

Great story. I only hope I can live so long and be so positive, active and independent. If you did find a man I reckon he'd have to be a lot younger just to keep up with you.

Moya Sayer-Jones

Beryl, you are fabulous. A messenger from the front with such wise and encouraging words for all of us. If I am passing through your town, I certainly hope I can give you a wave. (Your hairdresser is excellent by the way!) Jo, a beautifully told story: such heart. Many thanks to you both

Kate Adams

Great story and Beryl, you're an inspiration

Leisa Mazzer (nee Newton)

Thank you ABC for sharing another wonderful story of my Grandmother

Phil Carrick

Wonderful.Thank you

Susan Standen

An extraordinary woman with a keen engaged mind, such an inspiration.

Laura Hegarty

So sweet. I want Beryl to be my grandmother!

Rebekah van Druten

Some very wise words shared Beryl. Wishing you many more years of good health and contentment.

Gemma Deavin

A lovely story I smiled the whole way through. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on life Beryl. And thank you for bringing this piece (and Beryl) to us Jo.